Elizabeth Kathryn Gerold-Miller, a Catholic write-at-home mother of four from Long Island, shares poetry and prose about the family life and other topics of interest.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

A review of The Christmas Cat by Maryann Macdonald

Just on time for the
season of Advent comes a new picture book that Christian parents will not want to
miss. The Christmas Cat by Maryann Macdonald is an original story,
beautifully illustrated by Amy Jane Bates, that the entire family will enjoy
and want to pass on to the next generation.

The author was
inspired by one of a series of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, who drew many
illustrations of a young child Jesus holding and playing with a cat. Dated between 1480 and 1481, this series is
known as Madonna del Gatto, or
the Madonna of the Cat. There is also a
legend about a cat who purred Jesus to sleep in the stable in Bethlehem the
night he was born. Macdonald wondered if
this cat could have become Jesus’ special pet and, if so, what their
relationship might have been like.

The book cover shows a
kitten licking the hand of a contently smiling Baby Jesus, the evening light coming
through the stable window and casting a golden glow on the hay. On the first page is a panorama of shepherds
on a twilight hill, overlooking the city of Bethlehem, which is bathed in a
heavenly light. The title page depicts
the Holy Family holding Baby Jesus, with stable animals looking on. Then we are introduced to a crying Baby
Jesus. His family and the animals are
unable to soothe him. Then a kitten
enters the stable, nuzzles Baby Jesus, and gently purrs him to sleep.

Baby Jesus grows into
a young child, and he and his Mother Mary are portrayed playing with the cat,
who has now become his pet. When the
Holy Family flees from Herod, they fear they have left the cat behind. Just as the Child Jesus becomes upset, the
cat comes out from hiding and comforts him.
The book closes with a painting of Mary, an older Child Jesus, and the
cat, cuddling contentedly. Next to the
author’s endnote is a print of da Vinci’s drawing, which is similarly composed.

The story is told in
a beautiful narrative style, which adults will enjoy reading aloud. It is clear, descriptive, and does not ‘talk
down’ to children. I read this book with
my seven-year-old daughter, who was delighted by the pictures and story. I asked my sixteen-year-old daughter, a fine
arts student, to critique the artwork; she admired the “loose” style of the paintings. The artwork is soft, playful, and appealing
to children. The skillful use of light
illuminates the focus of each painting.

I loved the story and
have found myself thinking about its thesis.
Although the Bible does not mention “pets” per se, it does speak of dogs
being under tables in houses, eating the scraps that fall. We know that domesticated cats were around
from the time of the Egyptians – so it is possible that a stray cat could have
befriended the Child Jesus. The book
comes at a perfect time, with Pope Francis bringing worldwide attention to the
humble Saint Francis of Assisi, who had such a special relationship with
animals. Pope John Paul II once said, "Also the animals
possess a soul, and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller
brethren."

We think of pets as
being there to comfort us, and any family with children and a dog or cat knows
how animals instinctively cuddle up to them whenever they are upset. The simple but intriguing idea that Jesus
could have had a pet makes him seem more human, and thus more relatable to
children. As his humanity was God the
Father’s gift to us that we celebrate on Christmas, this book presents the
perfect opportunity for children and their parents to think about what Jesus
could have been like when he was a child.
He cried, he got hungry, and he played – just like them – thus he can
understand them and be their special friend.

Maryanna Macdonald,
who grew up with seven brothers and sisters, shows that she really understands
children, and is able to write at a level appropriate for their stage. I also reviewed her young adult novel Odette’s Secret,
which presents a child’s view of the holocaust.
I believe I have discovered a great writer and look forward to seeing
more from her.

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers October
2013 U.S. $16.99/Canada $18.00